Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has spent two seasons mostly in a backup role. With Miles Sanders now the lead back, where does Hubbard fall on the depth chart? What is Hubbard’s fantasy football projection for 2023?
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Chuba Hubbard’s 2023 Fantasy Projection
Hubbard had a pretty good stretch of games while filling in for an injured Christian McCaffrey in 2021. It was enough to prove he could be a useful fantasy player if given the opportunity.
Last season, Hubbard opened the season as McCaffrey’s backup. After the team traded him away, Hubbard went from a sub-10% snap share to around 50%.
From Weeks 7-18, Hubbard averaged 9.5 PPR fantasy points per game. While obviously not anywhere near being an impact player, Hubbard did have a 15.3-point week and an 18.9-point week.
Hubbard is a competent player. His 5.8 yards per touch ranked sixth last season, and his 2.81 yards created per touch was 26th, a very respectable ranking. However, that’s where the quality metrics end.
By the end of the season, the Panthers’ backfield had devolved into a three-man committee including D’Onta Foreman and Raheem Blackshear. It was difficult to predict who would produce each week. Sometimes, the answer was no one.
Should You Draft Chuba Hubbard This Year?
Last season, the Panthers’ offensive line blocked quite well for Hubbard, giving him 2.2 yards before contact. If Hubbard is able to earn some volume, he should be capable of producing.
With that said, Sanders projects as likely to dominate carries. The potential hope is that running backs coach Duce Staley has a well-documented track record of preferring to use multiple backs. So, it’s possible he doesn’t use Sanders as a workhorse, allowing Hubbard to see more carries than expected.
The best shot for Hubbard to be fantasy relevant, though, would be as the primary pass-catching back. Sanders saw just a 5.2% target share last season, and the Panthers don’t have a true receiving back on the roster. Hubbard looks like the best option.
Hubbard profiles as Sanders’ handcuff with potential standalone RB4 value as the pass-catching back. But what value does that really have in fantasy?
Playing on what should be a low-scoring offense with a rookie quarterback, there’s not much upside with Hubbard. Even if Sanders were to get hurt, we’ve seen what that means for Hubbard. He will never be more than an RB3.
Hubbard’s ADP is RB53, No. 162 overall. It’s borderline as to whether he will be drafted in standard-sized 12-team leagues. I have Hubbard at RB56, right in line with the consensus.
Once you get that late in drafts, you’re just throwing darts at guys who could potentially be useful. No one should actively target Hubbard in drafts. But if he’s the top running back available in the last round or two, and you need one more back, he’s fine to take.